On July 25, the town of Chunky hosted a swim meet for beginner swimmers, featuring a special appearance by Michael Robinson, one of Mississippi’s most accomplished swimmers. Robinson, who had stepped back from competitive swimming in recent years, demonstrated swimming techniques and shared his experience with local swimmers.
Robinson’s swimming career is marked by an impressive record of achievements. During his time at Pearl High School, Robinson consistently ranked as one of Mississippi’s top swimmers. He held the first-place ranking in his high school for multiple seasons and achieved top rankings at the state level. His recent performances include a first-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle at the MHSAA Class 2 State Championship in October 2023, with a time of 20.91 seconds. Robinson also secured first place in the 100-yard backstroke at the 2022 MHSAA Class 2 State Championships with a time of 54.00 seconds.
Anthia Olmstead, who was present at the swim meet, emphasized the significance of Robinson’s return to the sport. “This is huge for swimming and for Mississippi,” Olmstead said. “Michael will be a contender to swim in future Olympics. Even though he had been out of swimming for almost four years, Delta State quickly recognized his talent and offered him a scholarship.”
Robinson’s return has reignited interest in his potential future performances. In June, he reached out to Coach Bryan Olmstead to assist him in his preparation for collegiate-level swimming, with the goal of potentially competing at higher levels, including national championships.
Coach Olmstead expressed his excitement about working with Robinson, highlighting both his speed and character. “I think any coach in Mississippi would be excited about coaching Michael,” he said.
“But to be honest, his speed, though impressive, is not as impressive to me as his character.”
Robinson’s recent performances have shown that he remains a formidable competitor. In the 2021 MHSAA Class 2 State Championships, he finished first in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 21.11 seconds and second in the 100-yard freestyle, clocking in at 47.45 seconds. These results are just a few examples of his consistent excellence over the years.
Olmstead spoke highly about Robinson’s character, recalling a time when, as a 10-year-old, he helped another swimmer having a panic attack during a race. He expressed that Michael is known and respected not just for his records, but for his actions both in and out of the pool. He is someone who truly embodies the spirit of sportsmanship.
Robinson’s return to swimming is a significant development for the Mississippi swimming community, and his progress will be closely followed as he embarks on this next chapter of his athletic career.
